Fuel Hatch Removal

[Chillypilot]

I've noticed a lot of people have had trouble removing their fuel hatch, so I was a little nervous about removing mine. I think many people try to do this job with the wrong tools and strip or break the screws. Glad to report mine came out with no problems. Here's what I did/used.

1. Sprayed screws with penetrating oil several times. I let the oil sit for 2 days.
2. Used a impact wrench with 3/16 square male pipe plug socket. ***caution*** impact wrenches create a lot of torque. I would not use it to tighten the screws on the hatch. You could drive the screw through the hatch!
3. Drank some coffee with baileys. Still freezing up here



Pretty dirty under the hatch. Looks like I will have to replace the seal.


Also removed my plastic scupper today. I believe it was good but it did crack quite easily during removal. I'm replacing it with a stainless steel one.

 

[Volffas]

I'm glad to hear it came off ok. Can I ask why you removed the fuel hatch?

 

[Chillypilot]

I'm glad to hear it came off ok. Can I ask why you removed the fuel hatch?

I'm doing some sound proofing. I'm placing some roadkill stinger similar to dynamat on the underside.

 

[Volffas]

That would make sense then. Let us know how it turns out! Hopefully warmer weather is on it's way for all of us.

 

[graham cormack]

hi, just wondering where you got the impact bit in pic 2 from? ive been trying to source one but cant get one anywhere in the uk!?,?,
thanks

 

[Murf'n'surf]

hi, just wondering where you got the impact bit in pic 2 from? ive been trying to source one but cant get one anywhere in the uk!?,?,
thanks

I just saw some on eBay. Maybe they ship over the pond?

 

[Chillypilot]

I bought it used from another member. They can be found on eBay as Murfnsurf said.
Some was selling these #4 Robertson bits on the forum however, this member has sold all of his. Here is where he got them from.

http://www.lawsonproducts.com/Falcon-Tools/ScrewdriverInsert-Bit-Robertson-Square-Drive-4/FA5515.lp?_requestid=1552675

 

[graham cormack]

hi guys i setup an account and ordered some from lawsons last night and i got an email back saying they dont do overseas, so right now im away to head uo to inverness where there is a decent hardware store who says he might have!!

 

[Scottintexas]

@graham cormack did you find one yet ? if not start a conversation with me (private message) with your contact info and we will work it out,

 

[graham cormack]

hi Scottintexas yes I got off ebay in the US it just arrived last week so havnt had a chance to tackle the bolts yet, I managed to get my steering cable freed of a bit, so I think I will leave this till the winter and tackle it then!!

thanks for offering to get the impact bits for me though, was much appreciated

 

[Smassey22180]

I did the fuel hatch last week and it probably took 10+ hours to get it apart and back together again. Drilling the old bolts out is not fun. I was able to find decent replacement bolts on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FAVC660/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[AZDANSX230HO]

I've noticed a lot of people have had trouble removing their fuel hatch, so I was a little nervous about removing mine. I think many people try to do this job with the wrong tools and strip or break the screws. Glad to report mine came out with no problems. Here's what I did/used.

1. Sprayed screws with penetrating oil several times. I let the oil sit for 2 days.
2. Used a impact wrench with 3/16 square male pipe plug socket. ***caution*** impact wrenches create a lot of torque. I would not use it to tighten the screws on the hatch. You could drive the screw through the hatch!
3. Drank some coffee with baileys. Still freezing up here

View attachment 4935View attachment 4936View attachment 4940

Pretty dirty under the hatch. Looks like I will have to replace the seal.


Also removed my plastic scupper today. I believe it was good but it did crack quite easily during removal. I'm replacing it with a stainless steel one.

View attachment 4937

You got lucky getting them all out, I had one bolt so stuck in there I had to drill the head off the bolt, that was after penetrating oil, etc. Tried to use some vice grips to remove the bolt once the hatch was off and I got about 1/4 turn out of it and would not come out.

 

[PowayWayne]

Snap-On carries a 3/16 " male pipe plug socket (3/8" drive ) Part # PPM406A $14.65 USD

https://store.snapon.com/Pipe-Plug-inches-chrome-Socket-Pipe-Plug-External-3-16--P641827.aspx

 

[bronze_10]

I read the horror stories and debated on weather i would ever try to pull up my fuel hatch... decided i was gonna man up and make it happen.

Most bolts came out easy.... some even seemed loose but they weren't. One gave me a moment of pause.. it came up about one turn then locked down... after all the others were out i decided i was just gonna put the power to it with my impact gun and poof.. out it came... it wobbled though so i dont think it was straight.


An idea what these blocks are for? Looks like what they used to hold the tank in.. maybe extras?

 

[Murf'n'surf]

I read the horror stories and debated on weather i would ever try to pull up my fuel hatch... decided i was gonna man up and make it happen.
View attachment 55384
Most bolts came out easy.... some even seemed loose but they weren't. One gave me a moment of pause.. it came up about one turn then locked down... after all the others were out i decided i was just gonna put the power to it with my impact gun and poof.. out it came... it wobbled though so i dont think it was straight.

View attachment 55385
An idea what these blocks are for? Looks like what they used to hold the tank in.. maybe extras?

Those are pads to isolate the metal tank strap and the poly tank. Usually they are at the top and bottom edges of the tank.

 

[buckbuck]

@bronze_10 After cleaning the channels I suggest you consider waxing them to help with future cleaning. Also check your deck drain fitting. I had to silicone mine as it was leaking.

 

[bronze_10]

@bronze_10 After cleaning the channels I suggest you consider waxing them to help with future cleaning. Also check your deck drain fitting. I had to silicone mine as it was leaking.

Rgr... i pulled it up... took pics and set the cover back down... the wife is out of town.. ill wait for her to return to clean it.. lol

 

[Speedling]

I read the horror stories and debated on weather i would ever try to pull up my fuel hatch... decided i was gonna man up and make it happen.
View attachment 55384
Most bolts came out easy.... some even seemed loose but they weren't. One gave me a moment of pause.. it came up about one turn then locked down... after all the others were out i decided i was just gonna put the power to it with my impact gun and poof.. out it came... it wobbled though so i dont think it was straight.

View attachment 55385
An idea what these blocks are for? Looks like what they used to hold the tank in.. maybe extras?

Yup they are just extras from wedging in the tank.

 

[Speedling]

I read the horror stories and debated on weather i would ever try to pull up my fuel hatch... decided i was gonna man up and make it happen.
View attachment 55384
Most bolts came out easy.... some even seemed loose but they weren't. One gave me a moment of pause.. it came up about one turn then locked down... after all the others were out i decided i was just gonna put the power to it with my impact gun and poof.. out it came... it wobbled though so i dont think it was straight.

View attachment 55385
An idea what these blocks are for? Looks like what they used to hold the tank in.. maybe extras?

Glad you had it easy! I found mine had corroded to the point my fiberglass was screwed up. Now i am drilling the screws out, over drilling to clear it all out, and epoxying new nuts in before putting my hatch back on top, which still needs a little tlc with the giberglass on the backside.
Count your blessings!

 

[bronze_10]

Glad you had it easy! I found mine had corroded to the point my fiberglass was screwed up. Now i am drilling the screws out, over drilling to clear it all out, and epoxying new nuts in before putting my hatch back on top, which still needs a little tlc with the giberglass on the backside.
Count your blessings!

Oh i am... i was fully prepaired for the normal nightmare...